Venturi apparatus

Abstract

An improved venturi apparatus for facilitating the mixture of fluid substances. The apparatus preferably has first funnel section operative to receive a fluid and channel the same through a first cylindrical section or passageway. The first cylindrical section is fluidly connected to an intermediate passageway having a diameter larger than the first cylindrical section. At least one sidearm passageway is fluidly connected to the intermediate passageway into which at least one second fluid is introduced. The at least one sidearm passageway is preferably configured to fluidly interconnect with the intermediate passageway at approximately the medial portion of the intermediate passageway. Fluidly connected to the intermediate passageway is a second cylindrical section that is operative to direct the flow of the intermixed fluids to a second exit funnel section. The improved venturi apparatus is exceptionally efficient at drawing in a second fluid and effective in facilitating the mixture of two or more gasses, liquids or combinations thereof.

1. An improved venturi apparatus for facilitating the mixture of a liquid and a gas, the apparatus comprising:
 a. a first funnel section configured to be open to and in fluid communication with the atmosphere, and vertically aligned to receive the liquid due to the liquid being poured and subject to gravity and atmospheric pressure; 
 b. a first cylindrical section fluidly coupled to said first funnel section; 
 c. an intermediate passageway defining a compartment having a ceiling, floor and midsection, said intermediate, passageway having a ceiling diameter greater than a first cylinder diameter of said first cylindrical section, said, first cylindrical section ending at said ceiling; 
 d. at least one sidearm passageway fluidly connected to said intermediate passageway; 
 e. a second cylindrical section fluidly coupled with and extending from said floor of said intermediate passageway; 
 f. a second funnel section fluidly coupled to said second cylindrical section and vertically oriented with the first funnel section, the first and second cylindrical sections, and the intermediate passageway; 
 g. wherein said first funnel section, first cylindrical section, said intermediate passageway, said second cylindrical section and said second funnel section are operative to sequentially receive and define a fluid flow path for the liquid; and 
 h. wherein said fluid flow path extending from said first cylindrical section to said ceiling of said intermediate passageway operatively introduces a decrease in pressure to the liquid passing therethrough and said at least one sidearm passageway is operative to introduce the gas into said intermediate passageway when said liquid passes therethrough at said decreased pressure. 
 
   
   
     2. The improved venturi apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said venturi apparatus is encased within a housing. 
   
   
     3. The improved venturi apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said venturi apparatus is encased within a fitting. 
   
   
     4. The improved venturi apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said venturi apparatus is encased within a section of tubular pipe. 
   
   
     5. The improved, venturi apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said ceiling diameter is about 30% greater than said first cylinder diameter. 
   
   
     6. The improved, venturi apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said ceiling diameter is about 6.3 mm and said first cylinder diameter is about 4.7 mm. 
   
   
     7. The improved venturi apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said at least one sidearm passageway is fluidly connected to said intermediate passageway at the midsection thereof at a point equidistant from said ceiling and floor of said midsection. 
   
   
     8. The improved venturi apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said venturi apparatus includes first and second sidearm passageways that extend in diametrically opposed positions from said intermediate passageway. 
   
   
     9. The improved venturi apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said ceiling diameter of said intermediate passageway is greater than the diameter of said second cylindrical section extending from the floor of said intermediate passageway. 
   
   
     10. The improved venturi apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said liquid is caused to flow through said fluid flow path by gravitational force and air is caused to pass through said at least one sidearm passageway when said liquid passes through the intermediate passageway. 
   
   
     11. The improved venturi apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said ceiling intermediate passageway is planar. 
   
   
     12. An improved venturi apparatus for facilitating the mixture of a liquid and a gas, the apparatus comprising:
 a. a first funnel section having a first cylindrical section fluidly coupled thereto and extending downwardly therefrom, the first funnel section configured to be open to and in fluid communication with the atmosphere, and vertically aligned to receive the liquid due to the liquid being poured and subject to gravity and atmospheric pressure; 
 b. an intermediate passageway defining a compartment having a ceiling, floor and midsection, said ceiling of said intermediate passageway being fluidly coupled to and depending from said first cylindrical section, said ceiling of said intermediate passageway having a ceiling diameter greater than a cylinder diameter of said first cylindrical section; 
 c. at least one sidearm passageway fluidly connected to the midsection of said intermediate passageway; 
 d. a second cylindrical section fluidly coupled to and depending from floor of said intermediate passageway, said second cylindrical section having a second funnel section depending therefrom and fluidly coupled thereto; and 
 e. wherein said first funnel section, first cylindrical section, said intermediate passageway, said second cylindrical section and said second funnel section have a vertical orientation and are operative to sequentially receive and define a fluid flow path for the liquid and said at least one sidearm passageway is operative to receive and transfer the gas to said intermediate passageway when said liquid passes therethrough. 
 
   
   
     13. The improved venturi of  claim 12  wherein said ceiling of said intermediate passageway is planar. 
   
   
     14. The unproved venturi apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said liquid is caused to flow through said fluid flow path by gravitational force and air is caused to pass through at least one sidearm passageway when said liquid passes through the intermediate passageway. 
   
   
     15. The improved venturi apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said ceiling diameter is about 30% greater than said cylinder diameter. 
   
   
     16. The improved venturi apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said ceiling diameter is about 6.3 mm and said cylinder diameter is about 4.7 mm. 
   
   
     17. A method of aerating wine, the method comprising:
 disposing a venturi apparatus in vertical alignment with a receptacle such that a liquid flow path of the apparatus is substantially vertically aligned; 
 pouring wine from a bottle, the wine flowing vertically downward due to gravity, through an opening in a top of the venturi apparatus exposed to the atmosphere into a reservoir of the venturi apparatus at a beginning of the liquid flow path, the wine being subject to about atmospheric pressure in the reservoir; 
 continuing to dispose the apparatus such that the wine flows vertically downward from the reservoir; 
 decreasing pressure of the wine in a vicinity of an air intake; 
 drawing air through the air intake due to the pressure decrease; 
 mixing the wine with the air drawn through the air intake to form aerated wine; and 
 continuing to dispose the apparatus in vertical alignment with the receptacle such that the aerated wine flows from the apparatus into the receptacle. 
 
   
   
     18. The method of  claim 17  wherein decreasing the pressure of the wine occurs vertically above the air intake. 
   
   
     19. The method of  claim 18  wherein decreasing the pressure of the wine comprises flowing the wine from a first passageway having a first cross- sectional area into a second passageway having a second cross-sectional area about 70% greater than the first cross-sectional area. 
   
   
     20. The method of  claim 19  further comprising normalizing fluid flow of the aerated wine by flowing the aerated wine into a third passageway having a substantially uniform shape over its length and having a third cross-sectional area smaller than the second cross-sectional area.